Xinhua News Agency, Shanghai, May 18 (Reporter Yao Youming, Wang Chunyan, Xu Dongyuan) On the 18th, although only ranked 10th in the men's freestyle BMX park race at the Shanghai station of the Paris Olympic qualifying series, the face of the 39-year-old Venezuelan Daniel Dells was still filled with a winner's smile: as the coach of the Chinese team, his three disciples Sun Sibei, Sun Jiaqi and Deng Yawen beat many European and American players in the women's freestyle BMX park race and "monopolized" the podium.
On May 18, the runner-up Sun Jiaqi (left), the champion Sun Sibei (middle), and the third runner-up Deng Yawen celebrated at the award ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Kaiyan
"The current Chinese women's team is 'terrifying', and they are united and continue to dedicate 'phenomenal' games. I especially enjoy watching the Chinese team play now. BMX freestyle world champion Hannah Roberts of the United States.
In the minds of many players, Dells is simply the "Messi" of BMX. And that's not just because he's been a multiple world champion and won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Many athletes, including the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists in the women's BMX freestyle park race and Switzerland's Ducaroz and Roberts, grew up heavily influenced by Dells. For a while, the two even referred to Dells as "The Boss".
Venezuela's Daniel Dells (left) is interviewed after a match on May 17. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter He Changshan
In preparation for the Tokyo Olympics, Dells helped Ducaroz and Roberts by bringing them to his home and training at his personal training facility in the United States. In a previous interview with the IOC's official website, Costa Rica's Kenneth Tencio said that their friendship extends beyond the competition itself, "Although BMX freestyle is now an Olympic sport, the riders are still like a family."
When asked why he is willing to help opponents from other countries and regions, Del Stead said: "It's not easy to develop a good BMX rider. When I was growing up, a lot of the top players in the world helped me at the time, and I wanted to give back to the sport. ”
A year ago, Dells saw the plans and goals of the Chinese team in the development of BMX projects, and saw the respect and tolerance of the Chinese for BMX culture, and decided to accept the invitation to become the coach of the Chinese team. He told reporters that he hopes to give the Chinese team players the experience he has accumulated in his 25-year career in a few months. "In a way, I had a plan in my head to develop players, but to be honest, I had never thought about it before, but we had limited time and even more room for trial and error."
On May 18, Sun Sibei was in the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yanan
For Dells, the biggest challenge of coaching is sharing that "feel" of being on the track with the riders. "There may be routes where you've ridden tens of thousands of times, but you're still going to fall. It's hard to explain this 'feeling'. Another challenge is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each player, such as which routes he is prone to score points on, so we can consolidate; It doesn't matter which route you perform poorly, then we will practice a lot. Dells said.
At the World Cup held in Japan in February this year, the results of the Chinese team were not ideal. "I came to China to see Chinese players win competitions." According to Dells, after returning from the competition, he adjusted his training plan. He runs, rides and trains with his teammates, allowing the athletes to consolidate old moves and giving them advice on the route to race.
"I've had 25 years of career experience and the oldest of my players is probably only 20 years old. But training with them also helps me stay in a competitive state. Dells said.
On May 18, Sun Jiaqi was in the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Kaiyan
Talking about the goal of the Paris Olympics, Dells said that Chinese female riders are very likely to stand on the podium; But for the men's players, it may take another decade or more to catch up with the world's advanced level.
After the Paris Olympics, Dells will retire. He said that he was grateful to the Chinese team for helping him switch between the two identities freely.
"I love Chinese culture and Chinese food. I'm learning Mandarin, and after the Paris Olympics are over, I want to coach the Chinese team for a long time. Dells said.